Village Board Oks Gas Station, Addition

May 20, 1996|By David Sharos.

Roselle — After extensive debate, the Village Board has given its consent to move ahead with two projects that will bring expanded gas-station service to Roselle.

A seesaw battle among board members, residents and the Thornton Oil Co. ended when it became clear the company had met all the board's criteria for establishing a business in the village, but not before many board members and Mayor Gayle Smolinski had changed their minds on the issue.

Approval for a new station came after a hearing in which more than 20 residents spoke to the board about safety concerns, a potential increase in insurance rates because of living near a hazardous area, and incompatibility with the proposed site.

Smolinski told the residents that the village could not legally deny a special-use permit based solely on the proposed use.

"We have been advised by our attorney that rejecting a gas station as a special use just because we'd rather see something else on the property would not hold up in court," Smolinski said.

Rick Claes, vice president of development for Thornton Oil, told residents and the board that more than $1.7 million would be invested in developing the site. He also projected that the eight-island gas station would reap $3.2 million in sales a year and that the attached convenience store would bring in $1.2 million, based on business generated from Lake Street traffic.

"The effect on the tax base in Roselle, plus the jobs created, will be significant," Claes promised.

Smolinski said she changed her previous vote against Thornton after studying the proposed site on three occasions, and after consulting with village officials in Bloomingdale, which has a Thornton station.

"There were no concerns about them from neighbors or the village," Smolinski said.

Trustee Larry Stephens was the only board member to vote against the permit.

Graham C-Stores Co. will expand its Citgo gas station into a 16-bay facility and add a convenience store. The station is on the northwest corner of Lake Street and Rodenburg Road. The special-use permit was granted without discussion, because a gas station exists on the property.